Will intervene but won’t take part: JO

The Joint Opposition would intervene to form a Government against the UNP, JO MP Dullas Alahapperuma said today. However, he said that the JO would not participate in it.

Addressing the weekly news briefing, JO National Organiser MP Dullas Alahapperuma said the UPFA had expressed that it would form one of its own Government without the UNP in it.

“We don’t know how they would do it. We are not aware of the mechanism. However, if this is possible, we will intervene in the formation of an anti-UNP Government but won’t take part in it. Our objective is not to send away former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to another faction to create a Government but to bring the Government to Mr Rajapaksa,” he said.

However, he said reports that the UNP and UPFA would break away from the Unity Government were unconvincing and seemed like scripted.

“This is a creation by the Government to divert the attention from the mounting people’s opposition against it. The two factions parted ways before the Local Government (LG) election, would rejoin without a delay,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya should recognise the Joint Opposition as the official Opposition in Parliament.

“We are the only faction in Parliament which has not accepted any portfolios. We are not even a part of the Government. A 10 % of Ministers in the Cabinet and 20 % of Parliamentarians do not have a people’s mandate.

“The present Opposition was appointed through the back door. However, people voted overwhelmingly for us at the election defeating all other parties at the LG polls. Therefore, at least now, we should be given our due place in Parliament. We request Speaker to recognise us as the official Opposition and hope to meet him in person next week in this regard,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Comments - 16

surasena Wednesday, 14 February 2018 21:59

Just learn your elementary maths. Tamil parties will never allow MR and the clan to call the shots and from their perspectives it is reasonable. JO just burst the bubble at wrong time in a wrong election, simply providing an opportunity for the UNP to be prepared for decisive elections, ahead.

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KEKILIYA. Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:02

ANOTHER DAY DREAMER via DM Android App

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Ex-Voter Wednesday, 14 February 2018 22:36

It is obvious that the people have given the SLPP the mandate to form a LG Government! so why don't you take that challenge govern the LGs honestly, if that is possible and show the people that they should give the mandate to form the next main Government with a PM and President from SLPP. You have to be patient, honest and be credible bearing in mind that these same people kicked you all out for reasons known to your selves!! Choose a PM and President of all LG bodies and a cabinet if that is necessary!!! Also remember the "pottuwa" is still a bud showing no signs whatsoever of blooming!!!!!

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DJ Thursday, 15 February 2018 00:00

Do not take the people for a bunch of idiots. SLPP won at a local govt., election and thats it. You want to form a govt., do it at the respective election

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Ajith Thursday, 15 February 2018 00:32

As long as court cases against family stops they do all dirty works. PM needs majority in parliament not the choice of HE.

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Ram Thursday, 15 February 2018 01:26

It is time for MS and the SLFP authorities to take action against all the JOs who worked against SLFP at the last election. If I may use the old colloquial verse "Munta ravulath ona Kendath Ona"

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John Thursday, 15 February 2018 09:41

Its opportune for constitutional explanation of 'Joint' Opposition - when the Opposition is provided for?

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sunil Thursday, 15 February 2018 01:53

Bring in the young educated smart UNP team. People will SB dallas will have no space then.

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Sofia Thursday, 15 February 2018 02:48

This was a local govt election, not a national one. So no impact on the numbers in the Parliament.

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119

Buddhist Thursday, 15 February 2018 05:18

Who is expecting a bunch of rogues to do anything more than not allowing the government to do anything concrete.

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118

Rara Avis Thursday, 15 February 2018 05:46

This is a pipe dream

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116

AMD Thursday, 15 February 2018 10:21

Sabotaging has been there long before the LG polls, same as terror acts to destroy economy.

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Gamarala Thursday, 15 February 2018 12:57

Everyone wants to grab the power and stay in the parliament with top powers. We, people are fools.

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willowsd Thursday, 15 February 2018 13:18

The party can form a government with a Priminister of their choice is UNP.

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dean Thursday, 15 February 2018 16:52

machang you all are nakii its time that young blood should form a government .and trow these all thugs out

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02

Don Thursday, 15 February 2018 17:01

US, UK and the all the Governments in the World like UNP led Coalition to continue, not the rogue JO affiliated alliance.

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